Selections From the Writings of the BábBab, ʻAli Muhammad Shirazi
Religion
Selections From the Writings of the Báb
Bab, ʻAli Muhammad Shirazi
Babism; Bahai Faith
Whenever, O my God, I soared into Thy holy atmosphere and attained the
inmost spirit of prayerfulness unto Thee, I was led to recognize that Thou
art inaccessible and that no mention of Thee can ever reach Thy
transcendent court. Therefore I turn towards Thy Loved Ones—They upon Whom
Thou hast graciously conferred Thine Own station that They might manifest
Thy love and Thy true knowledge. Bless Them then, O my God, with every
distinction and goodly gift which Thy knowledge may reckon within the
domain of Thy power.
O my God, my Lord and my Master! I swear by Thy might and glory that Thou
alone and no one else besides Thee art the ultimate Desire of all men, and
that Thou alone and none other save Thee art the Object of adoration. O my
God! The paths of Thine inaccessible glory have prompted me to voice these
words and the ways of Thine unattainable heights have guided me to make
these allusions. Exalted art Thou, O my God! The evidences of Thy
revelation are too manifest for me to need to refer to aught else save
Thyself, and the love I cherish for Thee is far sweeter to my taste than
the knowledge of all things and freeth me from the need to seek anyone’s
knowledge other than Thine.
All praise be unto Thee, O my Lord. I verily believe in Thee, as Thou art
in Thyself; and of Thee, as Thou art in Thyself, I beg forgiveness for
myself and on behalf of all mankind.
O my God! Wholly have I fled unto Thy face and have cast myself before
Thee and no power have I over aught in Thy holy presence. Shouldst Thou
chastise me with Thy might, Thou wouldst assuredly be just in Thy decree;
and wert Thou to bestow every goodly gift on me, Thou wouldst indeed be
most generous and bountiful. Verily Thou art independent of all the
peoples of the world.
I have sought reunion with Thee, O my Master, yet have I failed to attain
thereto save through the knowledge of detachment from aught save Thee. I
have yearned for Thy love, but failed to find it except in renouncing
everything other than Thyself. I have been eager to worship Thee, yet have
I failed to achieve Thy adoration, except by loving those who cherish Thy
love. No one do I recognize, O my God, except Thee. Thou art incomparable
and hast no partner. Thou alone knowest our shortcomings and none other
hath this knowledge. I beg Thy forgiveness for whatever doth displease
Thee.
I call upon Thee at all times with the tongue of Thine inspiration,
saying: ‘Thou art in truth the All-Possessing, the Peerless. No God is
there but Thee. Immeasurably far and exalted art Thou above the
descriptions of those who arrogantly assign peers unto Thee.’
“All majesty and glory, O my God, and all dominion and ...”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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